Nationwide Labour Strike Looms As NLC Mobilizes ASUU, Other Unions Against Fuel Price Hike

• The Nigeria Labour Congress has written to its affiliate unions, mobilizing for a scheduled industrial action in response to the fuel price increment.

• ASUU and other unions are set to join the nationwide strike, protesting against the fraudulent increase.

• President Tinubu’s decision to end fuel subsidy has sparked fuel queues and resistance from the NLC and Trade Union Congress.

EKO HOT BLOG reports that the Nigeria Labour Congress has written all its 43 affiliate unions to mobilise for a scheduled industrial action primed to begin on Wednesday, June 7, 2023.

The strike follows the increment in the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit. Some of the affiliates of the NLC include – the Academic Staff Union of Universities, Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, Nigeria Union of Teachers, Judicial Staff Union of Nigeria, National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives among others.

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In a letter written to the affiliates which was signed by the NLC General Secretary, Emmanuel Ugboaja, the Congress said, “We bring you greetings from the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress. You will recall that arising from the National Executive Council meeting held on 2nd June 2023, it was decided that Congress will embark on a nationwide action and withdrawal of services, against the fraudulent increase in the prices of fuel across the thirty-six states of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the FCT.

“Please be informed that the nationwide action will commence on Wednesday, 7th June, 2023. To this effect, all National Leadership are expected to mobilise their members for the action and ensure full compliance with the directives as services in both the public and private sector are expected to be fully withdrawn by Wednesday, 7th June, 2023. All Presidents and General Secretaries are expected to help ensure the implementation of the decisions of the National Executive Council,” the NLC remarked.

This online media platform had reported that on Monday, during his inaugural speech at the Eagle Square in Abuja, the President, Bola Tinubu declared that the era of subsidy payment on fuel has ended.

Tinubu had also disclosed that the 2023 budget did not make provision for fuel subsidy as such, further payment is no longer justifiable.

“The fuel subsidy is gone,” Tinubu had declared, adding that his government would instead channel funds into infrastructure and other areas to strengthen the economy.

The presidential pronouncement led to an instant resurgence of fuel queues across the country, with Nigerians lamenting the sharp increase in the price of petrol at the various filling stations.

Although Tinubu’s decision received backing from the NNPCL and the House of Representatives, it has since been resisted by the NLC and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria.

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The organised labour has insisted that the President cannot unilaterally take a decision on subsidy removal.

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